I had my first cigarette when I was in seventh grade. I wanted to look older and fit in with what my friends were doing. I only smoked a few times then, on weekends where others were looking. In my neighborhood we could buy single cigarettes which made it very convenient for many of us. I quit shortly after a few months of starting smoking because I did not enjoy the smoke, and the smell … and honestly it didn’t really taste that good either.

I started college and got involved in many things. I joined Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity which taught me a lot about life in general but also showed me the benefits of keeping a healthy body and a healthy mind. I went through college without smoking except for a very minimum occasional “social smoke.” I finished college and went to work for the National Fraternity as a regional director, or what is called a chapter consultant. A stressful job in many ways dealing with 30 fraternities in different college campuses throughout the upper Midwest.

Long drives, alone time, and the lack of time to have succulent meals created an opportunity to pick up a cigarette as a “time to relax.” Smoking was keeping me away from having to stop so often to eat, so it seemed as a perfect “tool” to use every so often. I realized also, that I started using smoking as a social mechanism. I was using smoking to connect with those individuals that I couldn’t connect with otherwise.

From the occasional smoke I went to a regular habit that took over much of my precious time. Little by little, I realized that I was making special time every so many hours to take a smoke break.

After about a year I started to realize many of the negative effects of smoking. I was getting out of breath going up the stairs at the fraternity houses, I was taking many breaks when I went out for a run, my teeth (which I take care of) started to turn yellow, and when I walked into a room people noticed that I was a smoker (which I never thought people realized). All these little things started to bother me. I tried to quit a few times, but the environment didn’t help me and there were many times when I was tempted and felt for it again. But finally I made a firm commitment to myself and stopped cold turkey.

It wasn’t easy, and still isn’t at times after almost two years. Every time I saw someone smoking my mouth would water, and I would have some cravings. Every time I got offered a cigarette I would think, “If I have one I can manage not to pick it up again,” when I knew that it had happened before.

This last time I was stronger and it really paid off. I have been smoke free for quite some time now and I am challenged every day. I never want to smoke again; I know from experience how hard it is to give it up. It is interesting to hear people talk now because most don’t know that I was a smoker. I hear people say, “If they really want to quit, they can. They don’t really want to quit.” I wish people realized that once you are hooked it is really difficult to quit, and that every time people try to quit and fail, there’s actually a higher chance of quitting the next time they try.

I am currently working as a graduate assistant at the University of Maine in the Office of Substance Abuse Prevention Services. I was fortunate enough to participate in an internship with the American Cancer Society and the Bangor Healthy Maine Partnership which gave me a chance to receive training and get educated to be able to help others at the UMaine community quit smoking.

We work closely with students, faculty and staff to provide them with all the information necessary to put together a good action plan to quit. We also refer people on a regular basis to the Maine Tobacco Help Line (1-800-207-1230), where Maine residents can receive the patch or gum for free as part of the tobacco settlement agreement.

I feel fortunate to have had family and friends who supported me through my quitting process. It really makes a difference when the people around you provide you with an environment that encourages you to quit successfully.

Gustavo Burkett is a graduate assistant at the University of Maine in the Office of Substance Abuse Prevention Services. Readers may contact him at Gustavo.Burkett@umit.maine.edu